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The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

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Frank Burrell and the Cad-Allard Part 1 of 2

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Wacker with the Burrell-prepared Allard at Watkins Glen. Frank Burrell is standing behind Wacker's right shoulder.

By Eric Davison
All photo courtesy of Barry Burrell and the Allard Register

Eric Davison, who originally hails from the Detroit area, witnessed the birth of sports car racing from a unique perspective; his father was an early SCCA member who traveled to Watkins Glen every year with his son, driving exciting cars like the drop dead gorgeous British Squire. Davison has not only written a series of eight chapters on those years for VeloceToday, but continually brings us new and interesting stories about the pioneers of the sports car movement.

While we are all familiar with the use of Cadillac engines in the Cunningham cars at Le Mans, the famous Cad Allards and the Frick Vignales, little is known of Cadillac’s behind the scenes involvement with the sport, encouraged by the team of Ed Cole, Harry Barr and the subject of this article, Frank Burrell. With the help of Frank’s son Barry, Davison traces the little-known involvement of GM’s Cadillac division which was looking for ways to bring the excitement of speed to their flagship luxury car. [Ed.] [Read more…] about Frank Burrell and the Cad-Allard Part 1 of 2

Erwin Goldschmidt

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Frank Burrell with Cal Connell of Detroit Racing Equipment sitting in the Goldschmidt Allard. The Burrell-modified Allard helped Goldschmidt win the 1950 Watkins Glen Grand Prix.

By Pete Vack

“I have to say, that despite all, I liked Erwin Goldschmidt.” Cameron Argetsinger had the opportunity to know the flying Allard driver better than most others. In fact, it was Argetsinger who gave Goldschmidt the opportunity to race at Watkins Glen. [Read more…] about Erwin Goldschmidt

The Truth about Spiders

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By Gijsbert-Paul Berk

The Attraction of Spiders
This is not about the eight-legged arachnids – of which some species can be poisonous – but about four wheeled automobiles that appeal to the instincts of sporting men and women.

Driving an open sportscars without a roll bar can of course also be dangerous. But, as someone once remarked “driving a low and powerful machine with the wind blowing over your skull, is one of the most exhilarating sensations you can have with your pants on”. It is also one of the best ways to stop smoking.
[Read more…] about The Truth about Spiders

InterEuropa 2013, In English and Italian

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Paul Hocking/Jasper Izaks drove this Simca Abarth 2000.

Story and Photos by Roberto Motta

Over the weekend of 31 May to 2 June, the Autodromo di Monza played host to the 61st edition of the Coppa Intereuropa. More than 350 racing cars were involved in dozens of races, as well as a series of events and parades to celebrate the 50th year of the 911th Porsche and the 50th year since the founding of Autodelta.
[Read more…] about InterEuropa 2013, In English and Italian

San Marino Concours: Classy

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Alfa 1750 Quattroruote is one of the best examples of a factory conceived and built replicar.

By Wallace Wyss
Photos by Richard Bartholomew

San Marino is a toney area of town near Pasadena but redolent of gentler times where there are no loud noises and no graffiti; a town that presents a kind of isolated feeling like nearby Santa Anita racetrack which makes you feel like you are back in the 1930s.

[Read more…] about San Marino Concours: Classy

30th Annual Fiat FreakOut

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A Special Announcement from the Fiat Club of America

Fiat Club America cordially invites all Italian Car enthusiasts attend to the 30th Annual Fiat FreakOut national convention in Long Island, July 18-22nd at the Hyatt Regency, Hauppauge, NY.

Celebrate our great tradition of Italian Motoring with us this summer! Hundreds of vintage Italian cars will be there! All Italian cars welcome, including the concorso and drives. Join us for a weekend of activities and register your car today! Sponsored by Fiat. See and drive the new Fiat 500L 4 door, Abarth Cabrio and learn more about Alfa Romeo’s triumphant return to North America! Fiat/Alfa dealers will be on hand to answer questions about the Alfa 4C and upcoming Alfa models.

The Convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency, 1717 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY 11788 USA. Call 631-784-1234 to reserve a room at Fiat Club America rates! Mention “Fiat” and get a special $119 per night! Pricing ends June 29.

Features This Week, June 13th

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Sir Stirling got his, Gonzales got his, and you could be next…

Left, Roy P. Smith gives Sir Stirling Moss his copy of AmédéeGordini-a true racing legend. Photo by Pete Austin. In a few weeks, we will have a drawing to see who will win this book (retails for £55, $85.41 USD).
To get your name in the hat to win, you MUST be a Premium Subscriber before the contest begins. Subscribe now for one year at only $4.95 per month to become eligible to win this book when the contest begins.
Free shipping worldwide for our contest only!

Bernard Asset: The Man Who Changed the Pictures

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Change indeed. Bernard Asset's art. McLaren at Eau Rouge on the Spa circuit. F1 photography would never be the same again. Copyright Bernard Asset. All rights reserved.

By Graham Gauld

At a recent race meeting I met up with an old friend of over 25 years, the famed French Formula 1 photographer Bernard Asset. You may not have heard of him, but he completely changed the style of motor racing photography back in the 1970s.

Bernard Asset today. Photo by Graham Gauld.

When the French-based magazine Grand Prix International was founded in 1978, it devoted an entire issue to each Grand Prix and selected other events, notably Le Mans. This created a demand for variety and multitude of photos and Asset was ready to comply with his own unique vision of F1 racing.

Born in 1955 Bernard Asset was brought up in Paris; his father was a keen and talented amateur photographer. From the age of 14 young Asset wanted to be a photographer, and as a young teenager at the photography school the teacher asked him what he wanted to do. He said he wanted to be a sports photographer and cover the Olympics. The teacher told him to forget it as they were training commercial photographers. the Olympics, including the 1992 Summer and Winter Olympics at Barcelona and Albertville. “You know, ski photography is very similar to photographing Formula 1,” he remarks. [Read more…] about Bernard Asset: The Man Who Changed the Pictures

Gordini, Driven!

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By Ed McDonough
Photos by Mike Jiggle

Read Part 1

Read Part 2

As it happened, I test drove the Gordini at Silverstone on the same day as I had driven an F2 Ferrari 500, both cars having been raced by some of the most charismatic drivers ever to get behind the wheel of any racing car. Both cars had Maurice Trintignant connections, but the Gordini had led Le Mans with Jean Behra in this very seat…can you get your head around that?!

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La Vie En Bleu French Weekend at Prescott

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Bugattis at Prescott

Bugattis line up for Prescott, home of the Bugatti Owner's Club. George Davidson all the way from Kentucky heads the queue in his 1930 T35B. Photo by Jonathan Sharp.

Text by Jonathan Sharp, Photos by Jonathan Sharp and Roy P. Smith

Just back from a long day (June 2) at the Bugatti Owners Club’s Prescott Hill climb for their La Vie en Bleu event where there were 32 Bugatti’s entered. The annual International Bugatti rally was being held in the UK at that time with Prescott being one of the ports of call. A very impressive lineup they made, especially Jim Hulls Type 57 SC Electron reconstruction which he had brought from California.

Prescott is all about atmosphere. The location is as it must have felt in the 1930s, and to add to the atmosphere this year the local Steam Preservation railway was running great steam-driven trains. The sounds of the various Bugattis, blown and unblown, were mixed in with the sound of steam whistles and chuffing trains that enhanced the nostalgia.

As usual the French make car clubs put on a fantastic display. A rare favorite was the Peugeot 504 Pininfarina Coupe, just imported from the South of France. It had been owned by the proprietor of a Peugeot garage who had used the car during the summer, but had kept it in a heated garage in the winter. Its new custodian was justifiably proud of it. At various times during the day the works Bugatti test driver powered the 1200 BHP Veyron Vittesse up the hill and one lucky ticket winner got a ride up the hill with him at the end of the day.

Also demonstrated was the 1990 Benetton B190 F1 of John Reaks. This car was driven to victory at Suzuka, Japan in 1990 by Nelson Piquet. The first time I saw the car in the paddock after one of its runs it was without a nose cone. I understandably thought it had been involved in an accident but no, the cars mechanics had to remove the nose cone and then man- handle the car at the top of the hill to allow it to return to the paddock using the return road. Such dedication just to allow the spectators the chance to witness a 650 BHP Grand Prix car being driven up the hill in anger is worthy of praise. I do think it was a bit of a handful around the wonderfully named ‘Pardon Bend’ though.

Gordini author Roy Smith was there too, and caught the magic of Prescott. Photo by Roy P. Smith

Pure elegance: Bugatti Type 55 chassis 55221. Le Mans car of 1932, rebodied in 1933 by Figoni in 1933 besides the Bugatti Trust Library. Sharp photo.

Prescott has taken on the circus-like surroundings made famous by Goodwood. Jury is still out on that. Smith photo.

Circus or not, racing is still dangerous. Prescott nearly had a tragedy on its hands when Edmund Burgess lost his T13 Brescia coming into the esse's. Luckily he walked into the ambulance. The T13 had buckled front wheels and a serious misshapen steering wheel. Sharp photo.

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